Your Guide to Live Music in Denver
From catching your favorite local artist at an intimate venue near DU to swaying along with thousands at a big-name stadium show, discover the best spots in and around Denver to enjoy live music.
Denver's live music scene is as dynamic and diverse as the city itself, offering something for every music fan—from intimate shows with up-and-coming artists to large-scale performances by world-famous acts. Here's a guide to the city's best places to see live music.
Best venues to see local acts
3632 Morrison Road, Denver
D3 Arts offers a unique mix of avant-garde, indie, and alternative music, along with art installations and community-building classes and workshops. Located in west Denver, it's a creative hub for those looking to explore a variety of visual and musical artists that call the Mile High City home. Most shows are all-age, and they also work with local organizations to offer opportunities for youth to explore art, music and culture. If you want to dip your toes into Denver’s music scene, D3 is the perfect place to start.
Seventh Circle Music Collective
2935 W. 7th Ave., Denver
If you’re looking for metal, punk and hardcore, experimental, or indie musicians, Seventh Circle is Denver’s most prominent DIY venue. Shows are organized by volunteers and funded by members, so be sure to pick up a membership card online or at the door before going to a show. With graffiti and artwork covering nearly every inch of wall space and a constantly evolving lineup of local musicians, Seventh Circle is one of the best spots to check out the heavier side of Denver’s music scene.
7 S. Broadway, Denver
Known for its dive bar atmosphere, Hi-Dive specializes in punk, rock, and alternative but also hosts DJs and other types of performances. The laid-back vibe (featuring a pool table and darts) is typically complemented by raw, high-energy shows. Lots of local bands take the stage at Hi-Dive, but they also get their fair share of touring bands.
2721 Larimer St., Denver
Located in the heart of RiNo, Larimer Lounge is a beloved venue for everything from EDM to metal. Whether you’re there for a dance party or a mosh pit, the venue keeps you close to the stage and your favorite artists. Another perk is that it’s conveniently surrounded by bars, restaurants, and other live music venues, making it easy to plan an evening around your show. If you’re looking for a quick bite, it’s hard to beat a slice from Redeemer Pizza next door before heading into the venue.
140 S. Broadway, Denver
With a bar downstairs and a dedicated performance space above known as the Bobcat Club, Skylark Lounge is a great venue to discover new local bands. With shows ranging from punk to country, Skylark’s lineups are worth checking out. And it’s only a 10-minute drive from campus, with plenty to do along Broadway before and after the show.
4483 Logan St., Denver
Known for both its world-class BBQ and unique blend of indie, Americana, and other musical acts, Globe Hall is a cozy concert hall adjoined to a restaurant. The menu is straightforward, with choices like pulled pork and brisket (plus chicken and vegan options), making Globe Hall one of the best venues for dinner and a show.
Newman Center for the Performing Arts
2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver
Located right here on campus, the Newman Center hosts more than 300 shows each season, ranging from jazz and classical to bluegrass, opera and music from a variety of international artists. In addition to frequent guest recitals, you can also watch your friends in the Lamont School of Music perform.
Coolest jazz clubs in Denver
1330 27th St., Denver
In the 1920s, the Five Points neighborhood was frequented by jazz legends like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. An evening at Nocturne brings you back to that bygone era, with a menu and atmosphere inspired by jazz clubs of the past. Owned by alumna and adjunct professor Nicole Mattson (BSBA ’02, MBA ’12) and her husband Scott, Nocturne draws top performers from across Colorado and beyond, including frequent appearances by DU faculty, student, and alumni musicians.
1512 Curtis St., Denver
Located in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Dazzle is a mainstay of the Denver music scene. Established in 1997, the club has moved several times, but its current home in the center of Denver’s theater district might be the best of all. Beyond hosting national and local musicians on its main stage, Dazzle is also home to the El Chapultepec Piano Lounge.
Larger venues to catch touring bands
Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom & Other Side
2637 Welton St., Denver
With a combined capacity of over 1,000, Cervantes offers two unique stages—the grand ballroom and the adjoining Other Side—which is, quite literally, on the other side of the wall. Cervantes’ lineups are frequented by jam bands, jazz artists, DJs, hip-hop performers, and more. It’s mostly standing room only in the ballroom, with a handful of tables and chairs available on the balcony if you show up early enough.
3263 S. Broadway, Englewood
Whether it’s the sound, the décor, or the decades of musical history that have taken place on the stage, there’s something special about seeing a show in a historic theater—and the Gothic Theatre is no exception. Holding up to 1,100 concertgoers, the former 1920s movie theater blends vintage charm with a stellar lineup of rock, indie, and electronic acts, making it a favorite for both local and touring bands.
4242 Wynkoop St., Denver
One of the newest venues on this list, Mission Ballroom boasts a capacity of 3,950 and is designed from the ground up to maximize sound quality and light show visuals. If you’re lucky, they’ll even spin up the disco ball that looms overhead during most shows. Mission hosts all sorts of events, from raves and electronic music to jam bands, pop stars, and indie icons.
935 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
The Ogden Theatre has a similar vibe to the Gothic Theatre but was built a few years earlier, in 1917. Its age and long history as a movie theatre and performance space earned the Ogden a spot on the National Registry of Historic Places. Holding an audience of up to 1,600, the Ogden is a great spot to pack in for your favorite pop, metal, hip-hop, or jam band show. While it’s a bit further from campus than some of the other venues on this list, it’s absolutely worth making the trek across town.
1380 W. Florida Ave., Denver
A standout among Denver’s outdoor venues, Levitt Pavilion offers free concerts and an open-air setting for jazz, folk, and pop lovers alike. Throughout the season, Levitt Pavilion puts on dozens of free concerts, kicking off with MusicFest, the annual free festival hosted by the DU Programming Board (DUPB), featuring a headlining artists and student performers that won DUPB’s Battle of the Bands.
Big venues to watch big-name artists
1701 Bryant St., Denver
While it’s hard to beat seeing your favorite band at a small local venue, sometimes you need to think bigger… way bigger. When the stars—from Taylor Swift or Post Malone to Elton John or Metallica—come through Denver, they need a bit more room. That’s where Empower Field comes in. Holding more than 76,000 attendees for concerts, Empower Field is a go-to venue for national or international stadium tours. When the all-time greats aren’t taking the stage, Empower Field is home to the Denver Broncos.
1000 Chopper Circle, Denver
Home to the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets, the 20,000-seat Ball Arena is also a standard stop for big-name touring acts of all genres when they come through town. Plus, it’s one of the easiest venues to get to from campus: Just hop on the E Line at the DU light rail station and take it all the way to the arena.
18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison (just west of Denver)
You’ll never forget your first Red Rocks show—or more likely, any Red Rocks show. When artists get a chance to play the most famous venue in the United States, they never fail to rise to the occasion. Hosting nearly 200 shows every season, Red Rocks offers a huge variety of acts—from Sting to Halsey to Weird Al Yankovic, plus a number of comedians. Be sure to get there early—walking up to the amphitheater can take a while, especially if you’re not used to the altitude—and make sure to bring layers, as Red Rocks has a reputation for intermittent weather.
6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village
Another easy one to get to from campus (just hop on the E Line and ride until the Arapahoe at Village Center Station), Fiddler’s Green is the largest outdoor amphitheater in Denver. Whether you prefer to sit general admission-style on the sloped lawn or in a reserved seat closer to the stage, Fiddler’s is a comfortable suburban venue that draws all sorts of shows.
